Life Too Cold To Walk Your Dog?

frozenchief · 11-23-2021, 01:52 PM

I saw this today and was frankly a bit perplexed. There's a saying up here: "The Arctic favors men and dogs and frowns on women and horses." If I followed this, I'd never walk my dog. In fact, I see a lot of people up here who skijor (cross-country sled while being pulled by a dog) or run with their dogs or do stuff with their dogs when it is way colder than this. The Yukon Quest is run at temperatures way below this.

I would not let a short hair Chihuahua out at those temperatures but that's not a good dog for up here anyway. Dogs that size are eagle bait. Literally. But I've got an Aussie shepherd/mastiff pup who's about 5 months old and about 35 pounds.

We've had a rash of early cold weather so 10 has been about the high for the last week and a half and yet I go walk the dog or let the dog out. Last night I walked the dog at about -5. We were out for about 30 minutes and he did just fine. Ran up and down the trail.

What do you all say? Is it me? Or is this chart too restrictive?

Sassy Squatch · 11-23-2021, 01:54 PM

Doesn't make any sense unless there's separate charts for regions. My dog was bred in Texas so he seems to absolutely hate the cold. Cries like a bitch when it's time to go outside.

Jewish Rabbi · 11-23-2021, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superturtle

Doesn't make any sense unless there's separate charts for regions. My dog was bred in Texas so he seems to absolutely hate the cold. Cries like a bitch when it's time to go outside.

No, all dogs are the same. They don’t evolve to their surroundings. /jj

Grim · 11-23-2021, 02:02 PM

Seems like some pretty small windows.
An 18° temperature swing is all it takes to go from "No Evidence of Risk" to "Potentially life threatening cold"?

Otter · 11-23-2021, 02:04 PM

Short haired fawn boxer owner. There's some truth to this but I'd go more with exposure time than just temperature. I think they're over-simplifying.

You're not dipping them in liquid nitrogen by taking them outside.

**wazu** · 11-23-2021, 02:04 PM

I always find it interesting to think about all of the animals out in the wilderness when it's sub-zero temps. If these temps kill a dog, why do so many other mammals thrive and do just fine in this climate? I'm sure breed plays in, but even if it's a dog with thick fur how much can that really matter?

I'd imagine if you're dog is excited to go on walks, and seems to be enjoying it while being out, there probably isn't a lot to worry about.

FlaChief58 · 11-23-2021, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewish Rabbi

No, all dogs are the same. They don’t evolve to their surroundings. /jj

I guess I'm canine then because anything colder than 65 pisse me tf off!

MarkDavis'Haircut · 11-23-2021, 02:07 PM

Just another example of people acting like dogs are children.

They are hardier than this chart suggests.

**Lzen** · 11-23-2021, 02:09 PM

I have had Boxers for the past 15 years. Used to take them outside for walks even with snow on the ground. That being said, I definitely wouldn't leave them out there for a prolonged period. They are a short haired breed but they can withstand 30 minutes outside in the cold.

**Lzen** · 11-23-2021, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otter

Short haired fawn boxer owner. There's some truth to this but I'd go more with exposure time than just temperature. I think they're over-simplifying.

You're not dipping them in liquid nitrogen by taking them outside.

Got any pics? I love Boxers.

ThaVirus · 11-23-2021, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazu

I always find it interesting to think about all of the animals out in the wilderness when it's sub-zero temps. If these temps kill a dog, why do so many other mammals thrive and do just fine in this climate?

Any wild animal in a region is going to adapted to the climate while dogs have been bred for all kinds of weird, stupid shit. A chihuahua is just not equipped to handle a Minnesota winter.

This chart is bullshit, though. They're ****ing dogs. They aren't going to die after 15 minutes of walking outside.

HC_Chief · 11-23-2021, 02:15 PM

Shit, good luck getting my Husky to come inside when it's below zero. She lives for that weather.

Our Texas Heeler is the opposite... he is all about the heat.

ModSocks · 11-23-2021, 02:38 PM

Eh.

I have a dog that won't piss in the grass if the morning dew will get her paws wet. Yes, im being serious.

She'll piss on the concrete patio instead. She's such a sissy that if you ALMOST step on her paw, she'll squeal and yelp like you did.

CoMoChief · 11-23-2021, 04:15 PM

My old standard schnauzer didn't give a shit how cold it was....he expected to be walked every day.

Dogs can understand repetition and schedule. He'd let you know when it was time to walk. Miss that dog.

He didn't like the rain though. Loved the pool, lakes, rivers etc. Hated baths and rain. Guess he loved getting wet, but just on his own terms. lol

TLO · 11-23-2021, 04:16 PM

This dog lived close to you?

11-23-2021, 01:52 PM
frozenchief Veteran Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Alaska Casino cash: $1621379	Too Cold To Walk Your Dog? I saw this today and was frankly a bit perplexed. There's a saying up here: "The Arctic favors men and dogs and frowns on women and horses." If I followed this, I'd never walk my dog. In fact, I see a lot of people up here who skijor (cross-country sled while being pulled by a dog) or run with their dogs or do stuff with their dogs when it is way colder than this. The Yukon Quest is run at temperatures way below this. I would not let a short hair Chihuahua out at those temperatures but that's not a good dog for up here anyway. Dogs that size are eagle bait. Literally. But I've got an Aussie shepherd/mastiff pup who's about 5 months old and about 35 pounds. We've had a rash of early cold weather so 10 has been about the high for the last week and a half and yet I go walk the dog or let the dog out. Last night I walked the dog at about -5. We were out for about 30 minutes and he did just fine. Ran up and down the trail. What do you all say? Is it me? Or is this chart too restrictive?
Posts: 3,899

11-23-2021, 01:54 PM	#2
Sassy Squatch The man you could post like. Join Date: Oct 2010 Casino cash: $2459655	Doesn't make any sense unless there's separate charts for regions. My dog was bred in Texas so he seems to absolutely hate the cold. Cries like a bitch when it's time to go outside.
Posts: 37,903

11-23-2021, 02:02 PM	#4
Grim Starter Join Date: Aug 2012 Casino cash: $-300000	Seems like some pretty small windows. An 18° temperature swing is all it takes to go from "No Evidence of Risk" to "Potentially life threatening cold"?
Posts: 716

11-23-2021, 02:04 PM	#6
wazu ... Join Date: May 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $2202295 VARSITY	I always find it interesting to think about all of the animals out in the wilderness when it's sub-zero temps. If these temps kill a dog, why do so many other mammals thrive and do just fine in this climate? I'm sure breed plays in, but even if it's a dog with thick fur how much can that really matter? I'd imagine if you're dog is excited to go on walks, and seems to be enjoying it while being out, there probably isn't a lot to worry about.
Posts: 27,766

11-23-2021, 02:07 PM	#8
MarkDavis'Haircut MVP Join Date: Aug 2017 Casino cash: $5030400	Just another example of people acting like dogs are children. They are hardier than this chart suggests.
Posts: 13,528	1 0

11-23-2021, 02:09 PM	#9
Lzen Supporter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Jan Quadrant Vincent 16 Casino cash: $2220692	I have had Boxers for the past 15 years. Used to take them outside for walks even with snow on the ground. That being said, I definitely wouldn't leave them out there for a prolonged period. They are a short haired breed but they can withstand 30 minutes outside in the cold. __________________ If at first you don't succeed ...skydiving is not for you.
Posts: 41,346	1 0

11-23-2021, 02:15 PM	#12
HC_Chief That's just f***in' stupid Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: suburbia Casino cash: $3687107	Shit, good luck getting my Husky to come inside when it's below zero. She lives for that weather. Our Texas Heeler is the opposite... he is all about the heat. __________________ "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the war room!"
Posts: 12,355

11-23-2021, 02:38 PM	#13
ModSocks Needs more middle fingers Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Casino cash: $4284563	Eh. I have a dog that won't piss in the grass if the morning dew will get her paws wet. Yes, im being serious. She'll piss on the concrete patio instead. She's such a sissy that if you ALMOST step on her paw, she'll squeal and yelp like you did. __________________ Life is like a dick. Sometimes it gets hard for no reason, but it can't stay hard forever.
Posts: 64,332

11-23-2021, 04:15 PM	#14
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8052254	My old standard schnauzer didn't give a shit how cold it was....he expected to be walked every day. Dogs can understand repetition and schedule. He'd let you know when it was time to walk. Miss that dog. He didn't like the rain though. Loved the pool, lakes, rivers etc. Hated baths and rain. Guess he loved getting wet, but just on his own terms. lol __________________
Posts: 39,156	1 0

11-23-2021, 04:16 PM	#15
TLO Life is changing.. Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NW Missouri Casino cash: $1914900	This dog lived close to you?
Posts: 38,916